New York Bike Lane Advocates and Opponents Unite Against Shared Enemy: Pedestrians

Bicyclists and drivers in New York City have been at each others' throat in recent months as the city installs new bike lanes throughout the city. After many bitter words, the former foes have joined forces against a new enemy: people on foot.

1 minute read

April 1, 2011, 1:00 PM PDT

By Planetizen


"We just realized that our shared interests really did outweigh our differences. We just want to get from place to place quickly and safely," said one New York City bicyclist.

Cyclists and car drivers have united to help improve their travel times by targeting a major roadway interference: pedestrians.

"They're walking all over the place. Down sidewalks, in and out of stores, across streets. Streets! I've got places to be," said one annoyed driver who had joined the coalition against pedestrians. "Can these people push their stupid baby strollers any slower?"

The group has been painting over crosswalks and disconnecting the pedestrian crossing buttons on traffic signals.

Friday, April 1, 2011 in Planetizen April 1st Edition

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A Firefighter sprays water from a hose at a tall blaze.

US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060

Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.

5 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People cross a crosswalk in Los Angeles.

LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.

6 hours ago - ABC7

Two women walking on the sidewalk in Dallas.

Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code

The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.

7 hours ago - Yahoo News